By Jaclyn Vlahos ’16
Media Editor
President Christopher Hopey kicked off the new academic year with a school wide block party and BBQ on Sept. 18th to celebrate all of Merrimack’s successes and new facilities.
“It’s great. It’s the beginning of the new year,” Hopey said. “It’s just time to have a good time and Merrimack is about community and getting together. That’s why we’re doing it.”
Students and faculty gathered for food, a 21+ beer garden, live music, activities and fireworks.
One student, Tanner LoPresti, who helped organize the events activities, said “this is a great event, I really like it and I’m having fun.”
Student-run activities included different booths set up for different organizations, such as Relay for Life, where Janelle Engrem said, “It was awesome that President Hopey put this together so that the whole Merrimack community could come together and celebrate the start of the school year, and it’s really fun.”
Relay for Life held a corn hole tournament and encouraged students to sign up for the Relay event next semester.
READERBOX:
“Oh I’m having a great time. I think anytime we get everybody, as many of us as we possibly can, all together in one place and just have a chance to be together and enjoy each other it’s a great time.” – Father Ray
“It’s great, it’s the beginning of the new year, it’s just time to have a good time and Merrimack’s about community and getting together. That’s why we’re doing it.” – President Christopher Hopey
“This is a great event, I really like it and I’m having fun.” – Student Tanner LoPresti
“It was awesome that President Hopey put this together so that the whole Merrimack community could come together and celebrate the start of the school year, and it’s really fun.” – Student Janelle Engrem
